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Action Update

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Oppose the Rollback of Emergency Preparedness Rules: Sign on to Consumer Voice's NEW Letter and/or Submit Comments to CMS

November 14, 2018

Now it’s easier than ever to say “NO” to CMS’s proposal to  weaken nursing home emergency preparedness regulations – just sign on to Consumer Voice’s comment letter. 

Under the proposed requirements, facilities would only be required to review and update their emergency plan, policies and procedures, communication plan, and training and testing program every two years rather than annually. Also, staff training on emergency preparedness would no longer be required annually, but instead only every other year. To read more about the proposed changes, click here. These revisions would make nursing homes less ready when disaster strikes and subject residents to greater danger.

Help us send a strong message to CMS!  You can do this in in two easy ways (preferably both!):

1. Sign on to our comment letter.

Please click the following links to fill out your information by 5 PM ET on Friday, November 16.

  • ORGANIZATIONS/GROUPS ONLY - Click here and fill out your organization's information.
  • INDIVIDUALS ONLY - Click here and fill out your information.

2. Submit your own comments.

You can use the sample comments prepared by Consumer Voice and Justice in Aging by following the steps below by 11:59 PM ET on November 19, 2018:

  • You can choose from two sample comment templates:
    • Click here to download shorter comments. 
    • Click here to download more in-depth comments addressing specific provisions in the rule.
  • Personalize your comments with your name, your organization's name (if applicable), and your own experiences, observations, or concerns about the impact of these proposed changes.
  • Go to https://www.regulations.gov/comment?D=CMS-2018-0106-0001 to submit your comments.  For step-by-step instructions that navigate you through the comment portal, click here.
     

Additional Information

  • Read the proposed rule here.
  • To learn more about the proposed rule, click here.
  • To learn more about emergency preparedness, click here.
  • To read the Senate Finance Committee report, click here.

Questions?  Contact us at info@theconsumervoice.org.

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